Prior to UIC: Attended Northeastern Illinois University and Kendall College...played one season at Kendall with current UIC teammate Tonci Skroce...All-CCAC Second Team selection...part of CCAC Championship squad that reached the quarterfinals at the NAIA Regionals.

Prep/Personal: Three-year letterwinner as a forward at Chicago's Saint Gregory...three-time All-Conference performer and two-time All-State honoree...three-time all-conference selection and two-time all-state honoree...set a Greyhounds record in 2000 with 28 goals in one season...also lettered three years on the volleyball team as a setter...born November 11, 1982...son of Juan Guardian Avila and Ana Maria Villa...majoring in international marketing.